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To act well for the Commonwealth is noble, and even to speak well for it is not without merit.1 Both in peace and in war it is possible to obtain celebrity; many who have acted, and many who have recorded the actions of others, receive their tribute of praise. And to me, assuredly, though by no means equal glory attends the narrator and the performer of illustrious deeds, it yet seems in the highest degeee difficult to write the history of great transactions; first, because deeds must be adequately represented2 by words; and next, because most readers consider that whatever errors you mention with censure, are mentioned through malevolence and envy; while, when you speak of the great virtue and glory of eminent men, every one hears with acquiescence3 only that which he himself thinks easy to be performed; all beyond his own conception he regards as fictitious and incredible.4

I myself, however, when a young man,5 was at first led by inclination, like most others, to engage in political affairs;6 but in that pursuit many circumstances were unfavorable to me; for, instead of modesty, temperance, and integrity,7 there prevailed shamelessness, corruption, and rapacity. And although my mind, inexperienced in dishonest practices, detested these vices, yet, in the midst of so great corruption, my tender age was insnared and infected8 by ambition; and, though I shrunk from the vicious principles of those around me, yet the same eagerness for honors, the same obloquy and jealousy,9 which disquieted others, disquieted myself.

1 III. Not without merit] “Haudabsurdum.” I have borrowed this expression from Rose, to whom Muretus furnished "suâlaudenoncaret." "The word absurdus is often used by the Latins as an epithet for sounds disagreeable to the ear; but at length it came to be applied to any action unbecoming a rational being." Kunhardt.

2 Deeds must be adequately represented, etc.] “Factadictissuntexæquanda.” Most translators have regarded these words as signifying that the subject must be equaled by the style. But it is not of mere style that Sallust is speaking." He means that the matter must be so represented by the words, that honorable actions may not be too much praised, and that dishonorable actions may not be too much blamed; and that the reader may at once understand what was done and how it was done." Kunlhardt.

3 Every one hears with acquiescence, etc.] “Quæsibi--æquoanimoaccipit,” etc. This is taken from Thucydides, ii. 35. " For praises spoken of other are only endured so far as each one thinks that he is himself also capable of doing any of the things he hears; but that which exceeds their own capacity, men at once envy and disbelieve." Dale's Translation: Bohn's Classical Library.

5 When a young man] “Adolescentulus.” "It is generally admitted that all were called adolescentes by the Romans, who were between the fifteenth or seventeenth year of their age and the fortieth. The diminutive is used in the same sense, but with a view to contrast more strongly the ardor and spirit of youth with the moderation, prudence, and experience of age. So Cæsar is called adolescentulus, in c. 49, at a time when he was in his thirty-third year." Dietsch. And Cicero, referring to the time of his consulship, says, Defendirempublicamadolescens, Philipp. ii. 46.

6 To engage in political affairs] “Adrempublicam.” "In the phrase of Cornelius Nepos, honoribusoperamdedi, I sought to obtain some share in the management of the Republic. All public matters were comprehended under the term Respublica." Cortius.

7 Integrity] “Virtute.” Cortius rightly explains this word as meaning justice, equity, and all other virtues necessary in those who manage the affairs of a state. Observe that it is here opposed to avaritia, not, as some critics would have it, to largitio.

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